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Funding opens for village hall improvements
Village halls in England will be able to apply for grants for renovations, as the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund opens for applications.
The £3 million capital fund was launched to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
Being managed by the charity Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), it is expected that the fund will be used to support around 125 village halls over three years.
Lord Benyon, minister for rural affairs, said: "The Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund will create a national network of legacy projects to benefit rural communities.
"This will be a lasting tribute to the long, exceptional service of Her Late Majesty the Queen and will support village halls, many of which were built in commemoration of Her Majesty’s predecessors, Queen Victoria and King George V. Today, village halls remain a key community asset and efforts to modernise these spaces will ensure that they are used by generations to come."
The fund will be open to applications from projects aiming to deliver a positive impact on the local environment, reduce rural loneliness, support the rural economy and contribute to community life.
In their applications, village halls can request grants from £7,500 to £75,000 and up to a maximum of 20 per cent of eligible project costs. The funding can be spent on infrastructure improvements, the refurbishment of facilities, such as kitchens and toilets, and measures to improve energy efficiency.
Applications close on 20 January.
James Blake, chair at Action with Communities in Rural England said: "We are delighted to be administering this grant fund. Village halls are the beating heart of rural communities across England. They provide warm, welcoming spaces that bring people together, combat loneliness and support countless livelihoods which is especially important at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is bearing down on many.
"This investment, combined with the specialist support and advice of ACRE members will help modernise many of these important buildings so they can continue serving local communities."
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